Wiscasset has launched a Waterfront Resilience Project to identify community-supported, nature-based and other potential solutions to reduce the increasing flooding impacts on its waterfront.

A little over one year ago, in early January, Wiscasset’s waterfront was underwater. Two powerful coastal storms Jan. 10 and 13 hit the entire coast of Maine with nearly 15-foot storm tides. While Wiscasset’s waterfront emerged with minor flood damage and erosion, towns closer to the coast experienced catastrophic damage to docks, buildings and livelihoods. Hidden behind this storm tide was a slower-moving challenge that caused the events to be record-breaking: Nearly eight inches of sea level rise in the last century.

“When I visited the waterfront at high tide on Jan. 10, even the 'no parking' sign was underwater – which felt particularly appropriate as the entire parking lot was impassable,” said Cassaundra Rose, Wiscasset Climate Action Team chair. “With sea level rise happening faster every year and 1.5-foot higher water levels expected by 2050, this scene is something that we can expect to start affecting Wiscasset’s waterfront more frequently both during storms and on sunny days. That’s why we are supporting the town in studying potential solutions to reduce the vulnerability of our waterfront.”

Our aging infrastructure at the waterfront is vulnerable to flooding and storms. This study will help us better understand how our waterfront infrastructure will hold up in future flooding and storm events and how the community values the waterfront, and will even provide solutions to help decision-makers and investors determine how best to invest in new infrastructure at the waterfront,” said Aaron Chrostowsky, economic development director. 

The town has hired engineering firm Haley Ward to research and propose potential nature-based and other solutions for the Wiscasset Waterfront Resilience Project. The town will hold several public meetings throughout 2025 to gather input from residents and waterfront users, with the first public meeting on May 17.

Everyone who cares about or uses Wiscasset’s waterfront is encouraged to attend the Conversations on Waterfront Resilience: Kick-Off & Public Input Event, Saturday, May 17 meeting, which will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at Wiscasset Community Center, 242 Gardiner Road. We will discuss the effects of storms, sea level rise, and what you think about the waterfront's future.

Enjoy refreshments while learning about how climate change and flooding impact our community. You can share your experiences and insights through interactive mapping and surveys to help shape planning.

Interested public members can learn more and follow the project at https://bit.ly/WaterfrontResilienceProject on the town website at wiscasset.gov